Methods and systems for accelerating brine pond evaporation using waste heat

Abstract

The present application relates generally to methods and systems for accelerating the evaporation of brine pond water. In one embodiment the application pertains to an integrated process for producing hydrogen wherein waste heat evaporates the brine water. The process comprises producing hydrogen and heat from water using an electrolyzer and then heating a heat transfer fluid with the heat from the electrolyzer. The heated heat transfer fluid is pumped to a heat exchanger where it heats a brine solution from the brine pond to increase its evaporation.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An integrated process for producing hydrogen comprising:
 producing hydrogen and heat from water using an electrolyzer;   heating a heat transfer fluid with the heat from the electrolyzer and pumping the heated heat transfer fluid to a heat exchanger;   pumping a brine solution from the brine pond to the heat exchanger comprising the heated transfer fluid to heat the brine solution; and   pumping the heated brine solution into the brine pond, a second brine pond, or both.   
     
     
         2 . The process of  claim 1  which further comprises pumping the heat transfer fluid from the heat exchanger to the electrolyzer after heating the brine solution. 
     
     
         3 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the heat exchanger comprises a shell and tube heat exchanger. 
     
     
         4 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the heat transfer fluid is a liquid. 
     
     
         5 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the heat transfer fluid comprises water. 
     
     
         6 . The process of  claim 1  which further comprises increasing the temperature of the heat transfer fluid, the brine solution, or both with one or more heat pumps. 
     
     
         7 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the heated brine solution is at least about 5 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than the brine solution from the brine pond. 
     
     
         8 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the heated brine solution at least about 10 degrees Fahrenheit warmer than the brine solution from the brine pond. 
     
     
         9 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the electrolyzer is a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer. 
     
     
         10 . The process of  claim 1  wherein the electrolyzer is an alkaline membrane electrolyzer. 
     
     
         11 . A process for evaporating brine from a brine pond comprising:
 heating a heat transfer fluid with waste heat and pumping the heated heat transfer fluid to a heat exchanger;   pumping a brine solution from the brine pond to the heat exchanger comprising the heated transfer fluid to heat the brine solution; and   pumping the heated brine solution into the brine pond, a second brine pond, or both.   
     
     
         12 . The process of  claim 11  wherein the waste heat comprises heat from an electrolyzer. 
     
     
         13 . A system comprising:
 an electrolyzer;   a heat exchanger fluidly connected to the electrolyzer;   a first pump configured to pump a heated heat transfer fluid from the electrolyzer to the fluidly connected heat exchanger;   a brine solution; and   a second pump fluidly connected to the brine solution and the heat exchanger, wherein the second pump is configured to pump the brine solution to the heat exchanger to form heated brine solution.   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 13  further comprising a third pump to pump (1) heat transfer fluid from the heat exchanger to the electrolyzer; (2) heated brine solution from the heat exchanger to a brine pond; or (3) both (1) and (2). 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 13  wherein the heat exchanger is a shell and tube heat exchanger. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 13  further comprising a heat pump configured to increase the temperature of the heat transfer fluid, the brine solution, or both. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 13  wherein the electrolyzer is a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 13  wherein the electrolyzer is an alkaline membrane electrolyzer. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 13  which further comprises a brine pond comprising the brine solution. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 13  which further comprises a solar umbrella to at least partially cover the brine pond.